Frank Buglioni believes Sergey Khomitsky will be the toughest opponent he has faced in his professional career

Frank Buglioni believes Sergey Khomitsky will be the toughest opponent he has faced in his professional career as the Enfield fighter defends his WBO European Super-Middleweight title at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday.

The Belarusian hitman, who has only been stopped twice, ended Jamie Moore’s career and extended Martin Murray and the now retired Ryan Rhodes.

Buglioni has won all 12 of his fights since turning professional, with nine stoppages. But he is aware of the threat Khomitsky will pose to that record.

“He is a massive step up for me and it will be my toughest fight as a pro without a doubt,” the 24-year-old said. “(Gaetano) Nespro and (Stepan) Horvath are good fighters but Khomitsky has tended to be beaten by the best.

“He’s taken Martin Murray, who is maybe the best middleweight fighter in the country, the distance twice. So he knows he is capable against good opponents. I know it won’t be easy against him.”

Khomitsky has vowed to cause a big upset and knock-out Buglioni, who has impressed with his all-action, hard-hitting, performances.

The 39-year-old believes he will be able to take advantage of Buglioni’s weaknesses and says he will not be knocked out.

“I’m thinking that maybe Buglioni has underestimated me and thinks that I’m coming over to England to make him look good,” he explained.

“I don’t talk and boast before a fight. I don’t like to talk about what I am going to do but he will see on the night that I’m coming for a fight and he’d better be ready.

“I’ve been watching him and have seen his weaknesses and I know that he is very open to be hit. Against someone like me that is a big mistake. I have a good plan against him which I will use.

“This is nonsense that he is going to knock me out. He may have stopped his last three opponents but I can assure you that I won’t the fourth.”

Buglioni is nicknamed ‘Wise Guy’ for a reason and says he will stick to his game plan rather than rise to jibes from Khomitsky.

“To be honest, I am not going out there to try and stop him,” Buglioni says. “He’s said that to try and make me go out to the ring and try to knock him out, but that’s not going to happen.

“We have a plan and I will stick to that. Mark Tibbs has got me ready and he has left nothing to chance.

“I’m feeling good and I haven’t picked up any major problems in training. You get the usual few bruises but no major injuries, touch wood.”

He added: “Khomitsky is certainly not going to be an easy opponent to come up against but I know if I stick to the plan that I will land my shots. If I do that then there is always the chance of stopping him.”

Tickets for The Power Of London, priced from £40, are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk.